Detonator testing device



March 6, 1951 R. o. BEACH 2,543,754

DETONATOR TESTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 24, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet l 95 awe/rm 'R'. o. BEACH March 6, 1951 BEACH 2,543,754

DETQNATOR TESTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 24, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 6, 1951 R. o. BEACH 2,543,754

DET ONATOR TESTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 24, 1945 4 eeis-sh efi 5 |2| 4a 51 108 an 63 9+) 69 7O 68 07 73 I 55 97 if-1 5 100 I J Ll:

6| 95 +|-|0 67 as 74 e2 75 m9 us :2

I5 5- Ian 53 7: 6 f masee 5| w March 6, 1951 R. o. BEACH 2,543,754 DETONATOR TESTING DEVICE Filed Aug. 24, 1945 4 Sheets-She'et 4 V l .Q/TGJQ 53 66 7| m m 4a 74 jo. BEACH QW -W Patented Mar. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 4 Claims.

Another object of the invention is the provision I of a new and improved testing device having means arranged thereon for short circuiting the detonator until the detonator has been inserted into the device and rotated a predetermined amount.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a testing unit including means whereby the detonator supporting device is maintained in testing position within the unit after being inserted therein.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a testing device having a detonator supporting element adapted to be inserted into the device and rotated to a test position in which means are provided for establishing an electrical circuit to the detonator as the detonator supporting element is rotated.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a testing device having an explosive chamber arranged therein and means for venting the explosive chamber in the event a detonator is fired during the testing operation.

A still further object'is to provide a new and improved testing device which is reliable in operation and which possesses the qualities of durability and is also safe during testing operation of the detonator.

Still further objects, novel features and advantages o! the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred form of detonator testing device constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an elevation view of the detonator holder and test unit;

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the device of Fig. 6 but partly broken away;

Fig. 8 is a view taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken on line 8-9 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view taken on line Iii-l 0 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view 'taken on line l|--l| of Fig. 6;

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view taken on line |2l2 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the test unit with a detonator arranged thereon and showing the detonator leads in engagement with the spring contact eleinents and the slider or clamping element retracted;

U Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 but showing the clamping element or slider in clamping position;

Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view taken on line l5l5 of Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 illustrates in diagrammatical form an electrical circuit suitable for use with the testing device.

Referring to the drawings in detail for a more complete understanding of the invention, the testing device shown thereon comprises a base member generally indicated by the reference character In composed of any material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as aluminum or the like. The base member In includes an upper wall H, a pair of side walls I2, and end wall l3 and an L-shaped wall It adjacent the front end thereof. The L-shaped wall is connected to the upper wall II and side walls 12 in such a manner so as to provide a chamber [5 adapted to be closed by a cover plate l6,the cover plate being secured to the base member in any suitable manner as by'the screws H. A pair of supports l8 are formed on the upper wall ll of the base member In and extend a predetermined distance thereabove, each support being provided with an arcuate recess or depression IS, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully described. The base member is also provided with a plurality of laterally extending feet 2 I, formed thereon at each corner portion thereof thus providing means whereby the base member In may be secured to a bench, table or the like.

Arranged within the chamber 15 and secured to the L-shaped wall I 4 is a bracket 22, the bracket being secured thereto in any suitable manner,

preferably by screws indicated by the reference character 23. The bracket supports a microswitch generally indicated by the reference character 24, the switch being secured thereto by .the screws 25. As clearly shown on Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings the microswitch 24 is completely by a pair of screws 28 is a resilient member 21'.

adapted to engage the usual contact actuating member 28 of the microswitch.

Seated within the pair of recesses or depressions IS in the supports I 8, is a relatively thick elongated tube or barrel 29 composed of any material suitable for the purpose such, for example as steel and having a centrally disposed bore 3| extending therethrough. The tube is maintained within the pair of recesses by a pair of arcuately shaped brackets 32 surrounding a portion of the barrel 29. Each bracket has a pair of lateral extensions 33 formed thereon adapted to be respectively secured to each of the supports by bolts or the like indicated by the reference character 34. A handle 35 is secured to the brackets 32 in any suitable manner preferably by welding each leg portion 36 thereof to each of the brackets as indicated by the reference character 31 thereby providing means for manually carrying the testing device from one place to another.

Arranged Within one end of the bore 3|, provided in the barrel 29 is a reinforcing sleeve and guide member 38 composed preferably of steel or the like, having one end thereof in abutting relation with'respect to a shoulder 39 formed in the bore intermediate the end of the tub and being secured within the bore by a pair of screws 4| having threaded engagement with spaced threaded openings 42 provided in the barrel and extending into recesses provided in the sleeve 38 thereby providing an arrangement whereby the tube is maintained in a fixed position within the barrel 29.

A cap or plug 43 composed of any material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as steel is threaded into an enlarged threaded portion 44 provided in one end of the bore 3| and extends a predetermined distance therein, thus providing a chamber 45 between the inner surface of the plug and the outer surface of the sleeve 38, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully described. The cap or plug 43 is provided with a centrally disposed opening 46 extending therethrough having a pair of diametrically opposite offset recesses 41 in communication therewith, the purpose of which will be more fully describedas the description proceeds. As shown on Fig. 3 of the drawings, the opening 46 and the recesses 41 communicate with the chamber 45 which in turn communicates with a bore 50 extending through the sleeve 38 thereby providing a passage way for a test unit generally indicated by the reference character 48.

The test unit comprises a knob or grip member 49 composed of aluminum or the like having a reduced tubular extension 5| formed thereon from which extends a radial arm 52 adapted to engage and move the resilient member 21 into operative engagement with the contact actuating member 28 provided on the microswitch 24.

A locking element generally indicated by the reference character 53 and composed of steel or the like is secured to the tubular member 5| of the knob 49 by a pair of screws 54. The locking element comprises an enlarged head 55 adapted to seat within the bore 46 provided in the cap 43, the locking element also having a reduced extension 51 integrally formed thereon adapted to engage the reduced portion 58 of the bore 49 thus providing azibearing surface for the test unit when the test unit has been inserted into the barrel. The reduced extension is also provided .with a pair of diametricall and oppositely spaced lugs 8 I, the purpose of which will be more clearly apparent as the description proceeds.

The testing unit comprises an elongated body portion 62 having a circular portion 83 provided at -one end thereof, and integrally connected thereto is a tubular extension 64 adapted to extend into a bore 65 provided in the reduced extension 51, and secured therein by a pair of diametrically disposed screws 60. The other end of the body portion 62 is provided with a cradle 86 for supporting the detonator 10 in position during testing operation. The cradle comprises a body portion 81 intermediate the ends thereof as at 68 and having a pair of cars 69 and H respectively formed on each end thereof thus proyiding means whereby the detonator 10 may be quickly inserted into the cradle. It will be understood, however, that the cradle is so constructed as to prevent substantial damage thereto should a defective detonator explode therein during testing operation inasmuch as the cradle is open on the sides, ends and top portions. In the event that a cradle should sustain damage as a result of a premature firing of the detonator during testing operation, the defective cradle may be easily replaced by merely loosening the screws 68. The intermediate portion of the body 52 is cut away as indicated at 13 thereby to provide a flat surface 14 upon which is secured a strip of insulation material 15, the strip being secured thereto b a plurality of screws 16 or the like.

The screws 16 also secure a block 11 composed of insulating material such, for example, as Bakelite to the strip 15 and the body portion 62 of the testing unit 48. A pair of contact springs 18 are secured to the block 11 by screws 19, each spring having a tab 8| formed thereon, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully described. V

As shown on Fig. 3 of the drawing, the cradle 68 extends into an explosive chamber 82 provided within'the tube 29 between the reinforcing sleeve 38 and a vent plug generally indicated by the reference character 83. One end of the barrel 29 is reinforced by an annular member 84 secured thereto in any suitable manner and adapted to extend somewhat beyond the end of the tube thereby forming a shoulder 85.

The vent plug 83 comprises a body portion 86 having a screw threaded portion 81 thereon adapted to have threaded engagement with an internally threaded portion 88 provided in one end of the tube 29. The plug also comprises a flange 89 adapted to seat against the shoulder in such a manner as to seal the end of the tube 29 as best shown on Fig. 3 of the drawings. A reduced portion 9| is formed on the body portion 88 of the plug 83 and integrally formed thereon is a deflector head 92. A bore 93 extends a predetermined distance into the vent plug and communicates with a plurality of apertures 94 provided on the portion 9| thus providing means whereby the explosive chamber 82 is vented should a defected detonator explode therein during testing operations.

An, electrical cable 95 extends through registering openings 96 provided in the locking member 53 and knob 49, the cable having a pair of conductors 9'! enclosed therein, one end of each conductor being soldered to the tabs 8| provided on the spring contacts I8. Thecable issecurely held within the locking element and prevented from being forcibly withdrawn therefrom by. a packing ring 98 secured to the cable and adapted to seat in a recess 99 provided in the locking element.. The other end of each conductor 9! has secured thereto a phone tip IOI or the like, each phone tip being adapted to have locking engagement with a spring actuated terminal I02 insulated from the base I by a strip of Bakelite or the like I03 and insulating sleeve I04. Secured to the base I0 is a pair of test terminals I insulated therefrom by the strip I03 and sleeves I06 thereby providing means whereb a test set of any well known type may be electrically connected thereto. A test circuit is thus provided to the detonator !0.

As shown on Figs. 3, 6, 7, and 8 of the drawings, the detonator to be tested is arranged within the cradle 68 and each lead I0! thereof passes between the ears !I and extends a predetermined distance therebeyond, the leads being separated in such a manner as to pass around opposite sides of the block 'I! and engage their respective contact springs I8, the leads I0! being maintained in engagement with the contact springs I8 by a slider generally indicated by the reference character I08. The block 'I! is tapered and the portion 80 thereof is formed in such a manner as a'ua-ru has moved a predetermined distance along the portion 82, thus assuring quick and positive clamping of the leads I0! to the spring contact .19 by the plates II3 arranged within the sleeve.

As shown on Fig. 3 of the drawings the testing unit including the detonator holder 48 has been inserted into the barrel 29 and rotated to the locked or test position therein. The lugs 6! now engage the inner surface II9 of the plug 43 and are maintained in contact therewith by a pair of arcuatel shaped springs I2! secured to the head 55 of the locking element 53 by screws I00. The springs I2! are adapted to engage a shoulder I22 provided within the cap 43 and thus to provide a guide for guiding the detonator leads into engagement with each contact spring !8 as the detonator is inserted into the cradle 66.

The slider I08 comprises a sleeve I09 of metal or any other material suitable for the purpose, adapted to engage the portion 62 of the testing unit 48 and to have sliding movement thereon for the purpose of clamping and releasing the leads I0! when desired. The slider I08 also comprises an inverted U-shaped block IIO composed of any suitable material such, for example, as hard rubber or Bakelite, being secured to the tube or sleeve I09 by rivets III or the like, and the flat portions II2 thereof engaging the insulating strip 15 secured to the flat surface I4 of the testing unit 48 in such a manner as to permit free sliding movement of the sleeve along the portion 62 and also insulating the sleeve from the test unit 48.

A pair of copper plates II3 are arranged on opposite sides of a cut out portion II4 provided in the block H0 and are secured thereto in any suitable manner but preferably by having each end portion of each plate I I3 bent in such a manner as to form a bevel portion I I5 and a straight portion IIB, the straight portion H6 being in engagement with slots II! provided in each end of the block I I0. It will be understood, however, that the copper plates I I3 are adapted to engage the leads I01 of the detonator I2 and clamp the leads between the plates and the spring contacts 18 when the sleeve is moved into the position shown on Figs. 3, 6, '7, and 14 of the drawings, thereb to establish an electrical connection to the detonator I2.

A pin II8 is secured to the portion .62 of the testing unit and extends a predetermined distance below the curved surface thereof and is adapted to engage and stop the sleeve I09 when the sleeve in response to the outward pressure exerted on the testing unit by the springs I2I the lugs are maintained in frictional engagement with the surface II9 thereby maintaining the test unit 48 in test position within the barrel 29.

It will be understood, however, that when the test unit 48 is in the position as shown on Fig. 3 of the drawings, the arm 52 formed on the member 5| extends through a slot I23 provided in the wall and engages the resilient member 2! and forces the spring into engagement with the contact actuating element 28 of the microswitch 24 whereby a short circuit is removed from the detonator and an electrical impulse is adapted to be supplied to the detonator I0 being tested from a suitable source of power. It will be further understood that when the test unit 48 is inserted into the barrel 29 the unit is held in a position at a right angle to that shown on Fig. 3 of the drawings so that the lugs 6! may readily pass through the recesses 4! in the cap 43 and enter the chamber 45 provided therefor. When this has been done the unit 48 is rotated in a clockwise direction and the lugs 6! are rotated within the chamber 45 until one of the lugs engages a stop I24 formed on the rear surface of the cap 43 thereby preventing further rotation of the unit within the barrel 29. The test unit is now in a test position within the barrel.

Fig. 16 illustrates in diagrammatical form an electrical circuit suitable for use with the testing device, the circuit including the microswitch 24 having a movable contact I25 normally in enga ement with a stationary contact I26, in which position the detonator !0 is short-circuited. It will be understood, however, that when the unit 48 is rotated into locked position, the arm 52 will engage the resilient member 2'! as heretofore described, thereby actuating the member 28 and forcing the movable contact I25 away from the contact I26 and into engagement with the stationary contact I2! thus removing the short circuit from the detonator and connecting the detonator 10 in series with a suitable test set. The test set may be of any suitable type but for the purposes herein comprises 'a battery I28, a meter I29, connected inparallel with the battery, a switch I3! being connected therebetween in order that the meter may be adjusted to the zero position thereof by varying a rheostat I32. Another switch I33 is provided between the meter and the detonator thereby to prevent current from flowing to the detonator, when the meter is being adjusted to zero. After the meter has been adjusted to the zero position, switch I3I is maintained in the closed position and switch I33 is closed, thereby completing a circuit from battery I28 to the detonator I0 through the microswitch when the movable contact I25 thereof is in engagement with contact I2! thereof.

In accordance with the circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 16, the detonator I is employed as an unknown shunt resistance and the current flowing through the meter I29 gives an indication of the resistance of the detonator under test. It will be apparent from the foregoing description that the testing device is constructed in such a manner as to be safe at all times during testing operations inasmuch as the detonator is normally short-circuited prior to the testing thereof and is not connected in series with the test set until the unit 48 has been inserted into the tube or barrel 29 and the test unit has been rotated to a locked position. The push button switches I3! and I33 of the test set are now moved to the closed position. Should the detonator be defective the ohmmeter will indicate the defect and should the detonator explode as a test current of only a small fractional part of the current normally required to operate the detonator is applied thereto, the explosion will occur within the barrel 29 thereby preventing injury to the operator, as the barrel is so constructed as to withstand the force oi. the explosion.

The many advantages of the detonator testing device constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily apparent from the foregoing description and, although a preferred embodiment of the device is illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as ne'w'and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A device for testing an electroresponsive detonator and connecting an external electrical test circuit thereto comprising a base member, a reinforced test barrel supported on said base member, a removable test unit rotatable within said barrel, means on said test unit for rotating the unit from an initial safe position to a test position, a pair of spring contactelements secured to said test unit, means including an annular member slideably arranged on said test unit for detachably clamping said detonator to the unit and electrically connecting the contact elements and detonator together as the annular member is moved a predetermined amount on the unit, means including a pair of lugs arranged on said test unit and in engagement with said barrel for locking the unit in said test position, a switch secured to said base member and operatively connected to said contact elements and to said test circuit for closing the test circuit to said detonator as the switch is actuated, and an arm on the test unit for actuating said switch as the test unit is rotated from said safe position and locked in said test position.

2. A device for testing an electroresponsive detonator and connecting an external electrical test circuit thereto comprising a base member, a reinforced barrel supported on said base member and having an explosive chamber therein, means connected to one end of said barrel for providing said explosive chamber therein, said last named means having a plurality of apertures therein for venting said explosive chamber, a removable test 8 unit rotatable within said barrel, means on said test unit for rotating the unit from an initial safe position to a test position, means including an annular member slldeably arranged on said test unit for detachably supporting said detonator thereon and within the explosive chamber, means including a pair of lugs arranged on the test unit and in engagement with the barrel for locking the unit in said test position, a pair or resilient members secured'to the test unit and in engagement with the barrel for maintaining the unit locked in said test position, a pair 01' spring contact elements secured to the test unit and electrically .connected to the detonator leads by said annular member, said annular member being slideable to a position for clamping the contact elements and detonator leads together, a switch secured to the base member and operatively connected to said contact elements and to said test circuit for closing the test circuit to the detonator as the switch is actuated, and an arm secured to the test unit for actuating said switch as the test unit is rotated from said safe position and locked in said test position. I

3. In a device of the class disclosed for testing an electroresponsive detonator and connecting an external electrical test circuit thereto, in combination, a base member, a reinforced barrel supported by said base member, a removable test unit rotatably supported within said barrel, means on said test unit for rotating the test unit from an initial safe position to a test position, a pair or lugs on said test unit in engagement with said barrel for locking the unit in said test position, a pair or spring members on the unit in engagement with the barrel for maintaining the unit locked in said test position, a cradle secured to the unit and extending a predetermined amount into said barrel for supporting said detonator therein, a pair of spring contact elements secured to the unit and connected to said circuit, an annular member slideably arranged on said unit for operatively connecting the detonator tosaid contact elements, a normally open switch connected to the test circuit and operatively connected to said spring contact elements for interrupting the circuit between the contact members and-the test circuit when the test unit is in said initial safe position, said switch being supported on said base member and constructed and arranged to be actuated to a closed position and connect the detonator to the test circuit, and an arm secured to said unit for actuating said switch to said closed position as the unit is rotated and locked in said test position.

4. In a device of the class disclosed for testing an electroresponsive detonator and connecting an external electrical test circuit thereto, in comblnation, a base member, a reinforced barrel supported by said base member for enclosing said detonator, a removable test unit arranged within the barrel for rotation to the locked position therein, a pair of lugs on said test unit in engagement with said barrel for locking the test unit within said barrel, a pair of springs secured to the test unit in engagement with said barrel for maintaining the unit locked to the barrel, a cradle secured to the test unit and extending a predetermined amount into said barrel for supporting the detonator within the barrel. a pair of spring contact elements secured to the test unit and electrically connected to the test circuit, an annular member slideably arranged on the test unit, a pair of diametrically arranged plates on said annular member for detachably securing the detonator leads to said spring contact elements and electrically connecting the detonator within said test circuit, a normally open switch supported on said base member and operatively connected to said contact elements and to said circuit for closing the circuit to the detonator when the switch is actuated to a closed position, and means secured to the test unit for actuating said switch to said closed position as the unit is rotated to said locked position.

RONALD O. BEACH.

10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Beattie May 3, 1910 Anderson Aug. 2, 1932 Tomalis June 20, 1939 Appleton July 23, 1940 Bondurant Dec. 27, 1949 

